Visit our MS learning channel on YouTube, which provides hundreds of MS educational videospresented by MS Experts from across the USA. Archived here: www.youtube.com/msviewsandnews-- Also please visit our Social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram . Each providingimportant information for the MS community. Furthermore, scroll down the left side of this blog to learn from the resources and links.

Disclaimer:'MS Views and News' DOES NOT endorse any products or services found on this blog. It is up to you to seek advice from your healthcare provider. The intent of this blog is to provide information on various medical conditions, medications, treatments, for your personal knowledge and to keep you informed of current health-related issues. It is not a substitute for the advice of your physician. Should you or your family members have any specific medical problem, seek medical care promptly.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

SAN
DIEGO CA--(Marketwire - Jun 29, 2012) - Medistem Inc. (PINKSHEETS: MEDS)
announced today notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark
Office (USPTO) for a patent covering the use of fat stem cells, and cells
associated with fat stem cells for treatment of diseases related to a
dysfunctional immune system. Such diseases include multiple sclerosis, Type 1
diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The allowed patent, entitled
"Stem Cell Mediated Treg Activation/Expansion for Therapeutic Immune
Modulation" has the earliest priority date of December 2006.

"We
have previously published that giving multiple sclerosis patients cells
extracted from their own fat tissue, which contains stem cells, appears to
confer clinical benefit in a pilot study," said Thomas Ichim, CEO of
Medistem. "The current patent that has been allowed, in the broadest
interpretation of the claims, gives us exclusive rights to the use of specific
types of fat stem cell therapy for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis."

Subsequent
to the filing of the patent application, Medistem together with collaborators
at the Lawson Health Sciences Research Institute, Canada, reported data that
fat tissue contains high numbers of T regulatory cells, a type of immune cell that
is capable of controlling autoimmunity.

Friday, June 29, 2012

The National Multiple Sclerosis
Society supports the decision of the United States Supreme Court regarding the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This ruling will have a
significant, positive impact on many, including the millions of Americans affected
by multiple sclerosis.

Below
are some of the provisions of the law that the National MS Society believes
will have the biggest impact on people with MS and their families:

Prohibition of coverage denials based on pre-existing
conditions: Too many people living with MS
had been routinely denied insurance after receiving their diagnosis,
preventing them from getting the care they need.

Prohibition
of lifetime limits:
Routine, often costly care is needed to manage MS. This may cause those
living with severe forms of the disease to reach their lifetime limit
early in life. Elimination of that limit was critically important for
continued care.

Elimination of annual limits: Similar to lifetime limits, many patients reach their annual
limit of coverage because of the cost of care for MS. These arbitrary
limits should not prevent those in need from receiving care.

Extension of parent’s insurance to 26: Many people with MS are diagnosed in their 20s and may
still be in school or lacking a full time job to help pay for their care.
This provision ensures that they can continue coverage under their
parent’s policy.

Closing the Medicare Part D Coverage Gap: Disease Modifying Therapies for someone with MS can
cost as much as $4,000 per month, which is out of reach for the average
American; therefore, gradually closing the coverage gap has provided
financial relief for those who depend on Medicare for prescription
coverage.

Pathway for Biosimilars: The law provides a pathway for biosimilars which
provides some hope of lower cost therapies in the future. The FDA had
recently indicated it would not have pursued this pathway without the
legislative mandate therefore, it will continue to be developed--which is
good news for anyone who uses biologic therapies.

BackgroundAlthough
many people with MS have health care coverage, 70% of those with health
insurance still struggle with the cost of health care and 30% are forced to
spend less on food, heat, utilities and other necessities in order to afford
their health care. Those without access to private insurance and who do not
qualify for public programs are often priced out of the market, as individual
plans can be prohibitively expensive.

On
average, the financial impact of living with MS is $69,000 per year, and more
than half of this amount consists of direct health care costs. Unlike some
other diseases, MS is a lifelong illness--typically diagnosed between the ages
of 20 and 30s--prime career and family building years. Because of the high cost
and complications that can be associated with the disease, the National MS
Society has long supported many of the policies that were included in the law
just upheld by the Supreme Court.

With
guidance of people living with MS, the Society adopted a set of National
Health Care Reform Principles several years ago and, as an organization.
Our approach is to support legislation that is in line with those principles.
We intend to continue to work with Congress and the Administration in pursuit
of public policies that address the needs of those impacted by MS.

ContactFor
assistance with specific health insurance questions, people with MS, their
families or healthcare providers may speak with an MS Navigator by calling
1-800-344-4867 (FIGHT MS). You can find additional information on our website.

The information shown below was prepared by the State of Florida, for those living in Florida. However- there is information here that you can use regardless of where you are living. Find similarities of these topics wherever you are living. The Bottom Line is: BE PREPARED!!
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Disaster Preparedness

Hurricane season is upon us and, with 1,197 miles of coastline and all
cities within 75 miles of the coast, there are no areas in Florida that are
immune to the forces of a hurricane. Your safety and the safety of your family
must be paramount as a hurricane strike becomes imminent, so it’s imperative
that you have a plan and stay informed.

Have a Family Plan
In a major disaster, emergency workers may not be able to reach everyone right
away and, in some cases, it may take three or more days for help to arrive.
Having a plan for your family and their needs will help ensure their safety and
comfort during these difficult times. The Florida Division of Emergency
Management offers a Family Disaster Planning website to help Floridians create
a customized family disaster plan. Floridadisaster.org/family
allows each family to calculate the amount of food and water needed in the
event of an emergency and gives supply checklists, provides local emergency
contacts and evacuation routes. Each personalized plan also includes a
checklist of things to do before, during and after a disaster.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a Family Emergency
Plan contact form at www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.
This form will assist you in documenting essential information that you may
need in case of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite
with your family and loved ones during an emergency if you plan ahead and
communicate with others in advance.

Have a Place to Go
If your plan includes evacuating to a safer location, determine where you will
go in advance. If you are ordered to evacuate, don’t delay. Traffic congestion
will only worsen as time goes on. Select the evacuation destination that is
nearest to your home to minimize the distance you will have to travel. If
possible, make arrangements to stay with a friend or relative who lives nearby,
but will not be ordered to evacuate. Discuss the details of this plan with the
friend or relative well before a hurricane is approaching.

Have a Pet Plan
All pet owners should have an emergency plan that includes an evacuation plan
and adequate supplies for your pet in case of a disaster. Because many shelters
cannot accommodate pets, be sure to find out in advance if the place you plan
to go will welcome your pet, too. Keep in mind that shelters that allow pets
require proof of license and vaccination and pets must be in an ‘airline
approved’ pet carrier. Never leave your pets at home if you choose to evacuate.
If it’s dangerous for you, it’s dangerous for your pet. For a list of pet
friendly shelters in your area, contact your local emergency management
department or visit www.floridapets.net/petfriendlyshelters.html.
For a list of pet friendly hotels and motels, visit www.petswelcome.com. For guidance on
creating a plan for large animals and livestock, visit the Florida Department
of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ resources for disaster preparedness at www.freshfromflorida.com/ai/.

Stay Informed

FEMA now has the capability to deliver Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to your
cellular phone, relaying Presidential, AMBER and Imminent Threat alerts. These
WEAs use cell broadcast technology that will not get backlogged during times of
emergency when wireless voice and data services are highly congested. WEA will
not have to be opened like SMS text messages, but will “pop up” on your
device’s screen. There is no charge to you to receive these messages. Customers
of participating wireless carriers with WEA-capable phones will not need to
sign up to receive the alerts and should automatically receive WEAs in the
event of an emergency, if they are located in or travel to the affected
geographic area. FEMA also offers additional information by request. Cell phone
users can text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest
shelters in your area. You can also text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to sign up to
receive monthly disaster safety tips.

For additional
information, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services at www.800helpfla.com or by
calling 1–800–HELP–FLA (435–7352) within Florida, 1-800–FL–AYUDA (352–9832) en
Español or (850) 410–3800 from outside of Florida.

To look at, Sarah Ransley is the picture of health. You would never guess that she has a chronic illness – until she lists her symptoms.

There is numbness, dizziness, nausea, balance and mobility problems, difficulties with dexterity, aches in different parts of the body – and overwhelming fatigue.

“I’ve been tired since I was 14,” she says.

Sarah, 26, is one of an estimated 1,000 people in Cumbria and 100,000 in the UK who are living with multiple sclerosis.

As with all celebrity-related news it is receiving a lot of attention.

Sarah is hoping this new attention could dispel some of the misconceptions about it. For one thing MS is not a terminal illness. It can leave you weak, disabled and feeling very unwell but it is not fatal, as some seem to believe.

It’s also extremely varied. “People think MS and they think ‘wheelchair’,” she points out. “There’s a lot more to it than that.”

Some people do need a wheelchair as the disease advances, but most, like Sarah, go through periods of feeling very unwell followed by periods when some of the symptoms subside partially or completely.

Sarah, of Newfield, Carlisle, is upbeat, articulate and happy to talk about the condition. “I’ve got a collection of multi-coloured walking sticks – one for each outfit!” she jokes.

But she remembers well the fear and isolation she felt when she first discovered she had a debilitating illness.

“What does fatigue feel like?” When asked to describe the feeling of fatigue, many who have experienced it are at a loss for words.It is very hard to explain to someone who hasn't been through it,” says one woman. “Words like 'exhaustion' are so overused that they've lost all meaning. There aren't words strong enough to describe this feeling.” Others offer analogies. “Imagine wearing a heavily weighted suit,where every movement you make takes real effort,” suggests one patient. “How long could you continue like that?”Another likens fatigue to “the worst flu you've ever had — not the sickness, just the inability to move or think that comes with it. But unlike the flu, it doesn’t go away.” When fatigue strikes, it can make it impossible for a person to perform even the simplest tasks.“Some evenings when I come home, I have to ask my wife to unbutton my shirt,” one man explains. “It takes all the energy I have just to get through the day.” “Some days it is so bad I just want to cry,” relates a young woman who struggles with fatigue, “but I don’t even have the strength it takes to sob.”“But You Were Fine Yesterday!”
One of themost difficult aspects ofMS-related fatigue is its unpredictable nature. LikemostMS symptoms,fatigue may come and go. Some may experience fatigue daily, but some individuals don’t know when fatigue will hit. This is frustrating both for the person experiencing fatigue, and for those who rely on them. It is important to remember that the person with MS-related fatigue has no more knowledge or control over when fatigue strikes than you do, and to develop coping mechanisms together.“What can I do?”
The most important thing you can do is understand. Your loved one may already be experiencing grief, anxiety or anger because of fatigue. It may be very difficult for him or her to accept that they cannot do all the things they want to do because of this condition. They may be worried that others will think they are lazy or ‘useless’. They may be afraid that they will become unable to work, keep up with responsibilities at home, or meet the expectations of their spouse or children. To know that you understand and care about what they are going through can go a long way toward easing these feelings. You can help your loved one learn to cope with fatigue. For those who experience fatigue, it is always important to have a Plan B. What if that person is too fatigued to cook dinner? What if he or she tires out in the middle of a shopping trip? Have a backup plan in place to help when fatigue strikes. Be ready to help get the vital tasks accomplished, and be understanding when non-vital tasks are set aside.
Conserving energy is also important for those with fatigue. The less energy that is wasted in unnecessary effort, the more energy they will have to devote to daily needs. Try not to place undue expectations on your loved one. Are there responsibilities that can be shared? Are there things that can be done to simplify their tasks? Can outside sources offer assistance? Today, there are treatments that can reduce the severity of fatigue for some people, and therapeutic techniques to help manage its effects. But the understanding and support of family and friends are the best coping tools a person with MS-related fatigue can have.Everyone Gets Tired!
Have you said this to your loved one with MS? While it is true that everyone does experience
tiredness, not everyone experiences the medical condition called fatigue. Fatigue is the most common symptom among MS patients, affecting nearly 80% of those diagnosed. For family, friends, and loved ones, it can be the most difficult symptom to understand. It is important to comprehend that fatigue and tiredness are not the same thing.“It's been a long day. I'm fatigued, too.”
Are you really fatigued, or are you tired? A quick glance at a dictionary may help you begin to understand the answer to this question. Tiredness is defined as being in need of rest or sleep, or weakened and made less active by exertion. Fatigue, on the other hand, is defined as mental or physical exhaustion. A second definition, listed as a term used in physiology, explains further: inability to respond to stimulus, temporary inability of an organ or part such as a muscle or nerve cell to respond to a stimulus and function normally. Being tired is a normal response to the body's need for rest following a period of exertion or activity.
Sometimes tiredness can be severe, but it can almost always be remedied with a good night’s sleep. Proper rest, nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle can often prevent tiredness. The same cannot be said for fatigue. Fatigue is a condition that interferes with a person's ability to function.“What causes it?”
The cause of MS-related fatigue is not completely understood, but recent research indicates that fatigue is tied to widespread axonal (nerve fiber) damage in the central nervous system caused by the disease. This damage can interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses, and the body expends extra effort to compensate for the interference. One woman with MS likens the central nervous system to a highway, with messages traveling along nerve fibers to various parts of the body. “The lesions in my brain are similar to a road block that you have to take a detour around while driving. It takes more energy and time for the nerve signals to get around those lesions, just as your car would use more gas to get around that road block.” The extra effort required for the brain to communicate instructions to the body is a probable cause of MS fatigue.“You just need to be more active. Exercise!”“Reduce your stress.”“You should try vitamins.”
Family and friends of people with fatigue often make well-meaning suggestions such as these. While rest, good nutrition, and a low-stress environment may reduce the severity of fatigue, it is unlikely that these measures will alleviate it entirely. Appropriate exercise as part of a regular routine may be beneficial toward preventing fatigue, but exercising while experiencing fatigue is not advisable.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

SCOTLAND’S dreary weather is bad for your health and is to blame for a growing number of cases of cancer, heart disease and multiple sclerosis, doctors say.

The lack of sunlight in Scotland is leading to a rise in the number of people with a lack of vitamin D, which plays a crucial role in the growth of human cells.

The British Medical Association yesterday passed a motion calling for the introduction of a national programme of Vitamin D supplements, and some doctors are now calling for it to be added to everyday foods such as milk and margarine.

People make 90 per cent of their vitamin D naturally from sunlight exposure on their skin, and the dull weather in Scotland means Scots are more likely to suffer from a deficiency than people elsewhere in the UK.

Dr Nicola Balch, an associate specialist in child health, said: “People need just 20 to 30 minutes of sun three or four times a week to ensure they get enough vitamin D, but obviously with our weather it can be impossible to get this.

“Many people know this can cause weaker bones, but what they don’t know is a lack of vitamin D has been linked to lung and bowel cancer, coronary heart disease and MS. The vitamin helps modulate cell growth and plays an important role in the immune system.

Jack Osbourne claims he
was canned from a TV show because of his recent diagnosis with multiple
sclerosis — a surprise ouster that “offended” the former reality star.

“I had just booked a
job, right when I got diagnosed, and unfortunately the company that hired me
didn’t think I could actually perform the job,” he said Wednesday in an
interview on CBS’ “The Talk,” which is co-hosted by his manager mom, Sharon.

“Out of everything, that’s
what has really ticked me off the most because it’s like, ‘Don’t tell me what I
can and cannot do,’” the 26-year-old son of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne griped.
“At not one point did anyone ever call and ask me. It was all through agents
and lawyers.”

Sharon Osbourne also
tweeted Thursday that her son was “fired” because “they said he was a
liability.”

Neither Osbourne named the show, but Britain’s
The Sun newspaper reported Friday that he was supposed to be a contestant on
NBC’s reality game show, “Stars Earn Stripes.”

The show debuts in August and will feature a
celebrity cast including Todd Palin, Dean Cain and Nick Lachey. U.S. General
Wesley Clark is a co-host.

According to a news release about the show,
“eight competitors will gather at a remote training facility where they will
tackle complicated and difficult missions that are inspired by real military
exercises.”

Monday, June 25, 2012

I am so happy to say that since going on Dr. Wahls diet I have not only lost almost 20 pounds but minimized some of my MS symptoms as well as I don't have as many cravings for bad foods anymore. I used to crave sugar, or processed foods, and I find that it is not as much of an issue for me. I can sit next to those eatingfast food, or foods that I know are not healthy and not be tempted to join in. People ask Dr. Wahls all the time if they can "cheat". She tells them that of course they can cheat and eat bad. But in the end the only person your cheating is yourself. And that is one thing that is sticking with me on my new diet journey and my attempts to slow my MS down. I am using food as my medicine.I am not relying on Copaxone alone.

It is exciting knowing that virtually every thing I am putting in my body is helping me. My Vitamin D level is at 65 which is as high as it has been since I was diagnosed in 2009. I know that eating correctly and according to Dr. Wahls I am helping to cool off the fire of inflammation in my brain and spine. I am providing my body foods that it needs for ultimate vitality. With this diet I can truly say I have MS but it does NOT have me. I know that we all could manage this disease so much better if we realized that we can not rely on drugs alone. We HAVE to fight for our lives through intensive nutrition and healthy habits.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Now there's a one-click way to take once-a-week AVONEX. AVONEX PEN is a single-use prefilled autoinjector that uses a covered needle that's half the length of the standard needle for AVONEX Prefilled Syringe. There's never been an easier way to get the benefits of AVONEX.

In a study of people already taking AVONEX, 9 out of 10 preferred AVONEX PEN over the prefilled syringe.b,c The top reasons chosen were:

Easier to use

Reduced pain

Reduced anxiety

In the study, 89% of people correctly followed the instructions for using AVONEX PEN. In fact, there were no device failures, and 99% of people got their full dose of AVONEX.

It's also reassuring to know that, in this study, people felt significantly less injection pain after they switched from prefilled syringe to AVONEX PEN.d People in the study also experienced reduced injection anxietye and felt more confident self-injectingf with AVONEX PEN than with the Prefilled Syringe.

SYMPTOMS of MS

In multiple sclerosis , damage to the myelin in the central nervous system (CNS), and to the nerve fibers themselves, interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body. This disruption of nerve signals produces the primary symptoms of MS, which vary depending on where the damage has occurred.

Over the course of the disease, some symptoms will come and go, while others may be more lasting.

MS Views and News Guide Star Status

Find MS Views on Facebook

About This Blog

A web-blog (formerly known as Stu's Views and MS News), now published by MS Views and News, a patient advocacy organization. The information on this blog helps to Empower those affected by Multiple Sclerosis globally, with education, information, news and community resources.

MS Coalition Associate Member

MS Views and News

Healing the Soul, by B. Khatri, MD

Click photo for more detail

Sharecare Marketing - March 2014 - LISTED Stuart among the Top "10"

Social HealthMakers: Multiple Sclerosis

Disclaimer:

"Stu's Views & MS News" / 'MS Views and News' DOES NOT endorse any products or services found on this blog. It is up to you to seek advice from your healthcare provider. The intent of this blog is to provide information on various medical conditions, medications, treatments, and procedures for your personal knowledge and to keep you informed of current health-related issues. It is not intended to be complete or exhaustive, nor is it a substitute for the advice of your physician. Should you or your family members have any specific medical problem, seek medical care promptly

About Me

MS Views and News is a 501c3 Not-for-Profit organization that provides IMPACTFUL information to the MS (Multiple Sclerosis) community. To learn of the educational programs we provide live and virtually, opt-in with us from here: www.register.msviewsandnews.org
- thank you -

2014 MS Symposium from Miami, Fl

Brian Steingo, MD - Presents on Dietary & Self Aspects

MS Views and News

MS Views and News (MSVN), is dedicated to the global collection and distribution of information concerning Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Through partnering relationships, MSVN provides education, advocacy and service to empower and enhance the quality of life of the MS community.

Marketing Opportunities with MS Views and News

Att: Marketers :

Get New Exposure to either venues in Florida, the USA or Globally

Becoming a Sponsor of MS Views and News will enable us a few dollars more to host Multiple Sclerosis learning programs for those affected by MS and a sponsorship at the correct tier would place your logo and url on our site(s) and possibly with our social media offering you lots of new exposure.

FL Dept of Agriculture

MS Views and News, Inc. is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Registration # CH37993

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.